Clair Obscur Expedition 33: 11 Crucial Tips for Beginners

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 delivers a profoundly emotional and surreal journey that captivates players from its thrilling start to the impactful finale. However, to reach those much-anticipated closing credits, players must navigate a complex array of unique systems and immerse themselves in an enigmatic world. Mastering these elements is essential for survival on this arduous expedition, ensuring your party doesn’t meet the same fate as those lost before you.

The challenges are numerous, but fear not! There are several strategies you can adopt to enhance your chances of success. Whether grappling with intricate systems or deciphering unique gameplay mechanics, this guide offers invaluable beginner tips that will help you make a strong start.

11 Collect All Lumiere Missables

Claim Those Tokens!

Initially, as you delve into the world and its characters, you might assume your focus should solely be on the narrative. However, be warned: there are several missable collectibles within Lumiere’s starting area that you absolutely should not overlook. For instance, locate one of the Mime enemies hidden near the harbor, which is tied to an achievement.

Moreover, once you complete the Gommage, engage in conversations with various characters to earn Festival Tokens. These tokens can be exchanged for valuable items such as a Weird Picto, an Old Key, and alternative costumes for your character. While the costumes may not be crucial, the Picto and Key are essential for your progress. Don’t miss the chance to gather Festival Tokens!

10 Learn & Equip Luminas

Choose Your Pictos Carefully

As your journey unfolds, you’ll quickly discover that the passive buffs provided by Pictos are integral to developing powerful character builds. Unfortunately, the game’s explanation of how Luminas function is not particularly clear. When you’ve completed a specific number of battles with a Picto, its skills transform into a Lumina, which can be equipped without occupying a Picto learning slot.

Your best approach is to equip Pictos until their skills are learned, then swap them out for new ones while simultaneously attaching the learned skills as Luminas. Collecting various Lumina colors can yield more Lumina Points at camp, allowing you to utilize multiple Luminas simultaneously, creating formidable strategies against your foes.

9 Establish Builds Early

Effective Strategy is Crucial

Unless you are opting for easier gameplay, Clair Obscur demands your engagement in its deep tactical combat mechanics to progress effectively. Success hinges on developing solid strategies and comprehending each party member’s unique combat abilities, including stances, overcharge, and damage effects. Understanding status effects and enemy weaknesses is also paramount.

Your character builds may evolve as you explore different areas and collect resources throughout the game. To avoid frequent setbacks, it’s critical to devise effective tactics from the very beginning, making it a habit to regularly consult your menus and fine-tune your setup accordingly.

8 Master the Art of Parrying

Parry and Counter

While dodging attacks may seem like a reasonable strategy, the game rewards skillful parrying exceptionally well. Succeeding in parrying not only enables a powerful counter-offensive but can also lead to breaking foes and inflicting substantial damage. Additionally, certain Pictos provide healing opportunities and extra action points when parries are executed successfully.

It’s worth noting that parrying requires precision and is notably more challenging than evading attacks. However, perfecting your timing will significantly accelerate your rate of success against adversaries.

7 Steer Clear of Red Zones Early On

Danger Ahead

As you navigate the expansive landscape of Clair Obscur, you’ll encounter regions marked by red portals and warning signs indicating danger. These locations often house formidable optional bosses known as Chromatic foes that deal extreme damage. While skilled players may attempt to defeat them, their difficulty often outweighs the risk at earlier stages of the game.

Instead, it’s advisable to return to these areas later when your party is significantly stronger. Focus on gathering experience and progressing through the main story before tackling these daunting challenges.

6 Prioritize First Strikes

Gain the Advantage

Much like other RPGs such as Persona 5, striking first in Clair Obscur is significantly beneficial, as it allows your party to execute their actions before enemies. Conversely, if you don’t time your initial attack effectively, you may be forced to endure the enemy’s full cycle, which can be devastating, especially if they apply various buffs.

Before rushing into unexplored territories, take a moment to survey your surroundings. Be bold and seize the initiative; fortune favors the courageous!

5 Thoroughly Explore All Side Paths

Discover Hidden Treasures

Clair Obscur allows players the freedom to traverse its richly designed areas in any order. However, the game leans towards a linear layout, potentially leading players to miss critical side paths brimming with valuable loot, especially since fast travel options are limited.

Taking the time to explore these alternate routes will yield weapon upgrade materials, Lumina Points, Chroma for vital items from merchants, and Tint upgrades. While the primary path offers numerous items, the most rewarding discoveries are typically hidden off the beaten track. If in doubt about your route, remember: if you’re moving away from the monolith, you are likely on a side path.

4 Frequent Visits to Camp

Your Base of Operations

As you discover rare items, you’ll want to utilize them at your camp. This area becomes accessible after you meet Maelle and The Curator, allowing you to return via the overworld map whenever desired.

Make it a regular habit to visit the camp after exploring significant areas. Here, you can add Lumina Points, upgrade your weapons, and turn in any Lost Gestrels. Regular visits not only keep your party powered up but also often reveal intriguing plot developments and foster relationships.

3 Embrace Respecing

Revise and Reinvent

In keeping with JRPG traditions, many players hesitate to use finite items like Recoats, fearing they may need them later. This is a crucial mistake! It’s wise to regularly use these resources, as each chapter typically grants players one or two more.

Regular respecing allows you to adapt your character’s build to face upcoming enemies or to correct any miscalculations in previous builds. It also paves the way for smoother boss encounters. In short, don’t hoard items; leverage them for a successful journey!

2 Upgrade Stats and Skills at Every Flag

Ignite Your Power

Whenever you reach an Expedition Flag, take a moment to spend your acquired item points and unlock useful skills. Much like bonfires in Dark Souls, these flags allow you to rest and heal, but beware: all previously defeated enemies will respawn. However, you don’t need to stockpile resources to activate upgrades.

Typically, there will be enough time between flags for players to gain enough experience points to spend on new capabilities. Always make it a priority to power up and prepare at these checkpoints!

1 Unlock All Paint Cages

Liberate the Loot

To optimize your character builds and gain an arsenal of strategies against colossal bosses, actively seek out Paint Cages. These environmental puzzles are scattered across the game and can be unlocked by locating and shooting the three nearby locks.

Although some locks may be well hidden, they are always within a reasonable distance from the cage itself. Unlocking these will often yield exceptionally valuable loot, including unique weapons and Tint upgrades. Always take a moment to free each cage, as the rewards are frequently worth the effort.

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